Cornwall ON – Throughout today (July 6m 2010), City of Cornwall staff have been in discussions and on conference calls with the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) regarding the current high temperatures and in particular, the high humidex level. Due to the forecast for the next 48 hours and for health and safety purposes, the City will be opening the Salons of the Cornwall Civic Complex on Wednesday and Thursday as a ‘Cooling Centre’ for those residents who have need for an area to cool down.
The Salons in lower level of the Complex are air conditioned and will provide a temporary respite from temperatures that have soared to over 32 degrees Celcius for the past three days. Humidex values are expected to reach or get higher than 40 during this period. The higher the humidex, the harder it is for sweat to evaporate and cool the body.
The Cooling Centre will operate from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm on Wednesday July 7 and again on Thursday July 8. Cooler weather is forecast for the region on Friday July 9.
City residents are urged to take measures to avoid heat related distress such as heat stroke and sun stroke. Drinking plenty of fluids, staying out of the sun, avoiding strenuous activity and taking advantage of air conditioned buildings are all ways to beat the heat.
The City is also offering free swim periods for those residents who would like to cool down at the Aquatic Centre. The free swim periods will be from 1:00 pm to 2:00pm and from 2:00 pm to 3:25 pm on on Wednesday July 7 and again on Thursday July 8.
Additional information, including tips on staying cool during this heat wave, is available at www.Cornwall.ca
It’s easy to open your doors and let people on the street come-in to cool down. It’s even nice to let people use the pools free. It’s a lot like opening your doors and gates and then sitting back and watching the world go by.
What about the people who are suffering from the heat and are stuck at home with no means of cooling down. Those people who are perhaps handicapped or cannot get around. Who is doing anything to help them? Is the City keeping an eye on them?
For those homebound, if you need to cool down just sit on a chair in your bathtub or shower and let the cold water run. It’s amazingly refreshing!